Local schools may get stadium lights, new roofs

The Terrebonne Parish School Board will consider the projects Tuesday.

Daniel McBrideStaff Writer

Published: Sunday, April 18, 2010 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 9:09 p.m.

HOUMA — South Terrebonne High would get new stadium lights and two schools would get new roofs if the School Board approves the plans Tuesday.

The board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. in its office, 201 Stadium Drive.

At South Terrebonne, a stadium lighting pole that fell March 1 prompted officials to remove the other three poles. The project for consideration Tuesday aims to replace those poles before the 2010 football season begins.

“We're trying to get it done,” said buildings committee chairman Hayes Badeaux. “We've got two schools that are dependent on that.”

Both South Terrebonne and Ellender highs use the field at South Terrebonne. One of the first football games of the season, between South Terrebonne and Ellender, is scheduled for Aug. 26 at the stadium.

The project has a preliminary budget of $500,000.

The storm-damaged roof at Caldwell Middle needs replacement, school officials said. And long-term damage caused to the aging roof of Coteau-Bayou Blue Elementary also calls for a new structure.

“The Caldwell roof has substantial damage from the hurricane,” said Terrebonne schools Superintendent Philip Martin, referring to Gustav's high winds. And the roof at Coteau-Bayou Blue is “just shot — it needs to be changed.”

If the board approves the proposals, Laperouse Metal Works will be awarded a $675,000 contract for the work at Caldwell Middle. The $664,500 Coteau-Bayou Blue roof-replacement project is recommended to go to Sieverding Construction.

Martin added that the money being used for the projects cannot be used to pay employee salaries and reduce the number of people who may lose their jobs in the board's planned layoffs.

“They're dedicated toward buildings, roofs and equipment,” he said of the tax money being used.

On April 7, the board approved the superintendent's plan to use widespread layoffs to balance the budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Martin has said he expects to lay off nearly all of the system's part-time employees and about 150 of its 2,600 full-time employees, though few cuts are expected among certified and tenured teachers.

Those cuts are being made to account for a projected $11 million shortfall in the 2010-11 budget.

Staff Writer Daniel McBride can be reached at 448-7635 or daniel.mcbride@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @BayouSchools.

<p>HOUMA — South Terrebonne High would get new stadium lights and two schools would get new roofs if the School Board approves the plans Tuesday.</p><p>The board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. in its office, 201 Stadium Drive.</p><p>At South Terrebonne, a stadium lighting pole that fell March 1 prompted officials to remove the other three poles. The project for consideration Tuesday aims to replace those poles before the 2010 football season begins.</p><p>“We're trying to get it done,” said buildings committee chairman Hayes Badeaux. “We've got two schools that are dependent on that.”</p><p>Both South Terrebonne and Ellender highs use the field at South Terrebonne. One of the first football games of the season, between South Terrebonne and Ellender, is scheduled for Aug. 26 at the stadium.</p><p>The project has a preliminary budget of $500,000.</p><p>The storm-damaged roof at Caldwell Middle needs replacement, school officials said. And long-term damage caused to the aging roof of Coteau-Bayou Blue Elementary also calls for a new structure.</p><p>“The Caldwell roof has substantial damage from the hurricane,” said Terrebonne schools Superintendent Philip Martin, referring to Gustav's high winds. And the roof at Coteau-Bayou Blue is “just shot — it needs to be changed.”</p><p>If the board approves the proposals, Laperouse Metal Works will be awarded a $675,000 contract for the work at Caldwell Middle. The $664,500 Coteau-Bayou Blue roof-replacement project is recommended to go to Sieverding Construction.</p><p>Martin added that the money being used for the projects cannot be used to pay employee salaries and reduce the number of people who may lose their jobs in the board's planned layoffs.</p><p>“They're dedicated toward buildings, roofs and equipment,” he said of the tax money being used.</p><p>On April 7, the board approved the superintendent's plan to use widespread layoffs to balance the budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Martin has said he expects to lay off nearly all of the system's part-time employees and about 150 of its 2,600 full-time employees, though few cuts are expected among certified and tenured teachers.</p><p>Those cuts are being made to account for a projected $11 million shortfall in the 2010-11 budget.</p><p>Staff Writer Daniel McBride can be reached at 448-7635 or daniel.mcbride@houmatoday.com. Follow him on Twitter @BayouSchools.</p>